Mining evokes associations with disused mines in Germany, "blood diamonds" from Africa or rare earths for electric cars. The discovery and extraction of mineral and energy raw materials form, as it were, the foundation of industrial development in the 19th and 20th centuries. This material "substructure" forms the subject of our seminar. In it, we will look at coal mining in England and Germany, copper mining in South America and Africa, the Oil Rush in the USA, and the debate surrounding working conditions and ecology. A willingness to read English texts is required. Course credit may also take the form of a collaborative exhibition project (poster, reader) or website.